Acyclovir use and survival among human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with CD4 cell counts of < 500/mm3. The Terry Beirn Community Programs for Clinical Research on AIDS (CPCRA).
To examine the relationship between acyclovir use and survival in AIDS, we performed a retrospective analysis of data collected through an observational cohort of the 17-site Community Program for Clinical Research on AIDS (CPCRA), under the sponsorship of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Data were analyzed regarding 2,368 patients with CD4+ lymphocyte counts of < 500/mm3, and 7,836 follow-up visits were conducted from September 1990 to July 1994. Factors associated with use of acyclovir were studied by stratified analysis of variance and Mantel-Haenzel chi 2 tests. The association between acyclovir and survival was studied with use of the proportional hazards regression model. Individuals reporting acyclovir use were more likely to be white, male, and homosexual; to have a history of herpes simplex and zoster; and to have lower CD4+ T cell counts than those who did not. After adjustments for differences in baseline factors, acyclovir use was not associated with prolonged survival.
Torres
R A
RA
AIDS Center, St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center of New York, New York 10011, USA.
Neaton
J D
JD
Wentworth
D N
DN
Barr
M R
MR
Abrams
D
D
Sherer
R
R
Ward
T
T
Sampson
J
J
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000453:epidemiology; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
D000212:Acyclovir